Three Blast Pots Side by Side

[rtbcomp]

This is a pic of my three pots. Left to right, ACE Gritblaster, 10 gall Ebay pot and 20 gall Ebay pot.

The ACE has been made redundant, the 10 gall will be used with the blast cabinet for bead blasting and the 20 gall one will be used inside the blastroom.

 

[hareng]

How do these pots work with a blast cabinet?

Got a blast cabinet with inbuilt gun and pick up, power from a 3hp compressor. The filter needs modding, it blocks up after two minutes and pressurises the inside and nowt happens then.

 

[rtbcomp]

Very well indeed. I abandoned my suction gun after 5 mins.

All I did was to cut a 2" dia hole in the front of the cabinet to take a Metro gearchange gaiter, through which I fed the blast hose.

I'm going to add a mounting bracket for the nozzle to hold it in position so I can move the workpiece around, this should be much easier when doing small items like brake cylinders.

When the pot is empty, just drain the media into a bucket through a sieve and re-fill the pot.

What filter do you mean? My cabinet has a port for a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust.

 

[hareng]

Ta, got pone of these for bead blasting http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/heavy-duty-blast-cabinet
Theres a vent at the back and a paper filter and sponge on the right which the blast media fills up.
£35 a tub for bead blast media and need two. Bought a bag of kids playing sand £2.20 at B&Q prices thoroughly dried it out with a blow lamp and you wont tell the difference.

 

[rtbcomp]

I got this one http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/sb30-large-blast-cabinet/path/parts-washers-blast-cabinets

I would have made one myself but I needed it in a hurry.

If you must use sand (It's illegal) use Wickes paving sand, it's kiln dried, but make sure you don't get a burst bag, moisture can get in. I measured that it took 10KwH in an oven to dry a 25kg of sand.

There's a chap on ebay who sells blasting media, IIRC £35 for 25kg of glass beads.

http://www.hodgeclemco.co.uk/

http://www.esska-tech.co.uk/esska_eng_s/blast_material,p1010,,14.html

 

[hareng]

Thanks for clearing that sand bit up, didnt know it was illegal. Its at home if it has any bearing.
Yes did take ages to dry out and will be using it on aluminium in about 2hrs if i can get off here

Stuck for space and really struggle with what i can get inside my cabinet thats why i had the smaller one on a vat free day about 8 years ago plus it saves me mop polishing the bits.

 

[rtbcomp]

Thanks for clearing that sand bit up, didnt know it was illegal. Its at home if it has any bearing.

Not sure myself. One bag I saw had "Not for sandblasting on premises covered by the Factories Act" printed on it.

On Ally it will give a dull grey finish, using glass beads afterwards will give a pleasing satin finsih.

I use 74-149 micron beads from Hodge Clemco.

 

[JimM]

It's illegal because it can kill you (silicosis I think it's called) You'll probably be OK doing small quantities at home but obviously wear a mask. If you're looking at doing a substantial amount of blasting then you should really look to proper media

 

[MrFluffy]

Yep silicosis. The sand breaks down into fine dust with use, and this dust gets drawn deep into the lungs when breathed in scarring the soft tissues there. You cannot expel the sand dust by breathing it out as it is too fine so it stays in there, repeatedly scarring your soft lung tissues and reducing your capacity to breathe for life until eventually your on a respirator...

I use iron ore blasting shards in my cabinet. I don't like the sound at all of silicosis...

 

[rtbcomp]

As Received

Stage 1 - fine media

After blasting with glass beads

 

[hareng]

Reckon i am going to have to do it your way with a fine media.
Mine really struggles with steels unless highly mop polished.
Aluminium is easy but it wont hide 180 grit score marks and need something similar. Cant upload piccies, edit or resize what i have done today to show. Just need a pro finish.

No mask, the room fills with fine dust and just lingers after 10 mins. Will replace this media thanks again for pointing it out.

 

[rtbcomp]

I'd seriously consider fitting a vacuum cleaner port. On the front panel would be best so you don't blast media into it and lose your grit.

The pot-based guns give more force than the syphon ones.

 

[malcolm]

I got mine going today (finally finished the air line piping started last year). Those pressurised blasters really do work Tried it out using the grit in the blast cabinet and amazing results for 10 seconds until the hose blocked. Now to get some new dry grit.

 

[hareng]

Still performing ok Malcolm?

Been looking for some pots. I assume those ebay ones are false economy?

 

[rtbcomp]

Still performing ok Malcolm?

Been looking for some pots. I assume those ebay ones are false economy?

Those ebay 10 and 20 gallon ones are brilliant. I have one of each.

 

[JimM]

Still performing ok Malcolm?

Been looking for some pots. I assume those ebay ones are false economy?

If you're feeling brave old gas cylinders make good pressure pots. Obviously there are risks with drilling & cutting into the cylinders but if you're sensible then you'll be OK. Do a search on the forum as there was a thread on cutting cylinders a while back

Jim

 

[hareng]

It did cross my mind glancing at the compressor cylinder yesterday

Thought about making something up but need everything its all shot - pun. seen a cheap 10ltr one yesterday about £50, so not worth the hassle, the only thing that stopped me was whether they were ok.

 

[rtbcomp]

I started making one, but decided to buy one, by the time you've bought all the fittings there's not much in it!

The only weak point is the nozzle - somebody suggested using old spark plugs. I use a tungsten carbide nozzle from my old Ace gritblaster.